[2] In 2001, Roy Moore, who was Chief Justice at the time, placed a Ten Commandments monument on public display in the rotunda of the building.

It was designed by Barganier Davis Sims Architects Associated of Montgomery and Gresham, Smith and Partners of Birmingham.

A pedimented portico with ten monumental Ionic columns is centered on the front facade of the structure between projecting side-wings.

The Administrative Office of Courts, Museum of Judicial History, and a visitor parking garage are located on the ground floor level.

The main lobby level contains the primary entrance, as well as the State Law Library, Appellate Court Clerks' Offices, and the two-story rotunda.

It was revealed on August 1, 2001 that Moore had commissioned and placed a 5,280-pound (2,390 kg) granite replica of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda of the Judicial Building's the night before.

[4][5] Thousands of protestors from around the country converged on the Judicial Building after the decision to rally against the removal of the monument.